Chidike

Mar 24, 2023

5 Github tips for new coders

Tip #1: Change your default text editor associated with Git

For many people, the default text editor when using Git from the terminal is VIM. VIM can be a terrible, scary thing for the new or casual hacker. Or even for veteran hackers or himself. ⁠In order to change your text editor to Atom, Sublime, or TextMate, follow the instructions in this . While you are at it, you should also make sure your shortcuts are set up so you can open files in your preferred text editor directly from the terminal using subl . or atom .Check out for setting up Atom access from your terminal and for setting up Sublime. ⁠ ⁠Tip #2: Change your dotfiles

I didn’t learn about dotfiles until I was hacking and using Git & GitHub for multiple years. I’m still bummed that I didn’t know about this sooner!

Dotfiles allow you to customize your terminal prompt so you can see what git branch you are on & if you have uncommited changes. IT’S GENIUS! I got from a co-worker () but if you search GitHub for ‘dotfiles’ you’ll find loads of options. ⁠ ⁠Tip #3: Install Hub

is a command line tool that makes it easier to use GitHub. Often I will be working on a repository in my terminal but want to see issues or pull requests on GitHub. So I’ll open a browser tab, then get distracted by email/twitter/a puppy — and ten minutes later, get around to typing in the GitHub repository url. By typing hub browse in the terminal, it will auto-magically open the url of the repository directly in your browser for distraction free GitHub-ing. Boom.

Tip #4: Practice merge conflicts

This is where I admit that I’m sometimes a quitter. Specifically when it comes to merge conflicts. I cannot remember the number of times that I’ve abandoned a project or pull request because I hit a merge conflict.

They scared me, the docs on how to fix them scared me, and then I was in VIM and wanted to quit forever (see tip #1).

Then I realized I needed to face my fear so I started a practice repository, created a merge conflict on purpose, and or watched a YouTube video on how to fix merge conflicts. I did that a few times. Also now you can in the GitHub User Interface so that’s been handy.

Today when I hit a merge conflict, I am slightly less scared and calmly make my way deleting the carrots, knowing that thanks to version control, I can’t mess things up too much.

Tip #5: Make a GitHub Page

A GitHub page is a personal or project based website that GitHub will host for free! It always helps to have an actual project to push up to GitHub to practice your Git and GitHub skills.

Make a simple website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from a coding tutorial then follow the steps to host it on GitHub or you can check out video I made a while back with step by step instructions. Or try the super easy method.

Last, I’m gonna sneak in a 6th maybe obvious tip which is — take a Git and Github class or tutorial!

Here are a few that are worth checking out:

I hope this list of tips was helpful and if you have any other tips that you found helpful in your journey to learn Git and GitHub, I’d love to hear them! ❤